Thursday, June 20, 2024
Vol. 5, No. 44
PCMExplorer Local People. Local Stories.
Take a trip to the farmers market
The Prairie City Farmers Market is back each Thursday and filled with goods from vegetables to crafts By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer
Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer Meredith Chipps, left, was crowned Jasper County Fair Princess and Libbie Keith, right, took home the title of Jasper County Fair Queen at the annual contest June 15 at the Newton Community Theatre.
Crowned By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer Jasper County has new royalty. Libbie Keith was crowned Jasper County Fair Queen while Meredith Chipps earned the title of Jasper County Fair Princess at the annual contest June 15 at the YMCA Theater in Newton. ‘(The candidates) have been preparing for the last month,” organizer Codi Holdeman said. “They have been nervous, they have been excited. Today, they’ve cried, they
Libbie Keith named 2024 Jasper County Fair Queen, Meredith Chipps fair princess
made friendships, they’ve made memories and they’ve gained skills that will last them a lifetime.” Six girls competed for the crown, all 4-H or FFA members throughout the county. Along with Keith and Chipps, Trinity-Ann Hanson, Rylee DeHaai, Lexi Kephart and Cadie Horn took the stage in hopes of being selected to represent the county. MCing the event were 2023 Queen Jocelyn Harder and Princess Hope Bonham. The candidates started the contest by in-
troducing themselves and their escorts who helped them to the stage. They then showed off a casual clothing ensemble they put together while the explanation of why they selected the pieces was shared. Working with the 2024 fair theme, the candidates shared what “Stars, Stripes and Jasper County Fair Nights” means to them. Whether it was through dance, song or just their own words, each QUEEN | 3
Getting WILD! The Blank Park Zoo shares different animals and information about them to kids during a Monroe Public Library event June 10 in downtown Monroe
If it is Thursday, then downtown Prairie City is the place to be. The Prairie City Farmers Market is back each week from 5 to 7 p.m. with a growing number of participants hoping to sell their delicious and fun goods. Tables line the sidewalk on the northwest side of Garden Square Park each with unique finds. From baked goodies to handmade crafts, there is a little of everything. And more is coming. “This year has been one that if you planted tomatoes in the middle of April, you’d be having tomatoes right now. But you normally can’t get a tomato to grow in April to early May,” organizer Scott DeVries said. “You would have had to have one heck of a stepping out in faith to put something in the ground in April. But it just got hot. It sounded like maybe by the last week of June we will have tomatoes.” A few fresh vegetables made a quick appearance before being quickly bought up. Turnips and radishes were fresh and ready with even more gifts
from the ground coming as the season progresses. The Prairie City Farmers Market is a long-held tradition. It was first held Saturday mornings before a brief hiatus, and then it moved to its current Thursday slot. Those that want to participate need not worry about a lengthy process to start selling. “People can go to the Facebook page and the form is linked there,” DeVries said. “Or just show up. We will take anybody on farmers market night and work them in.” Additional activities from the Prairie City Public Library are also planned for a few Thursday evenings. Touch-ATruck, a time for kids to come learn about the fire department, will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. June 27. Magician Rick Eugene will wow the crowd with his eye dazzling tricks starting at 4:30 p.m. July 18. Once the shopping is done, at 6:30 p.m. July 25 a family movie night featuring “Garfield” will take place at the library. The farmers market will run each Thursday through Sept. 26. For more information, visit the Prairie City Farmers Market Facebook page.
Jamee A. Pierson/ PCM Explorer A shy armadillo finally emerges from its carrier to be seen my dozens of kids during the Blank Park Zoo’s visit sponsored by the Monroe Public Library.
Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer The Prairie City Farmers’ Market is set for 5 to 7 p.m. each Thursday through the end of September in Garden Square Park.
NASCAR CUP SERIES IN NEWTON The grandstands were packed for three days of racing, culminating in the first NASCAR Cup Series race in Iowa Speedway history By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer History was made this past weekend as race fans finally got what they had always been asking for: a NASCAR Cup Series race at the Iowa Speedway. A sold out crowd watched the Iowa Corn 350 on June 16 at the Newton-based racetrack, which had previously held the Hy-Vee Perks 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series race on June 15 and the Atlas 150 Menards ARCA Series race June 14.
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